AEIF Newsletter 1: U.S. Demographics

December 1st, 2021

Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) has become a global pandemic since it was first identified in 1907. In 1990, AD was the eighth leading cause of death in the United States according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. In 2000, AD became the seventh leading cause of death in the nation and today stands as the sixth leading cause of death in the United States. Official death certificates recorded 121,499 deaths from AD in 2019, the latest year for which data are available.1

It is estimated by the Alzheimer’s Association that as of 2020, approximately 5.8 million Americans aged 65 and older are living with AD. By 2025, the number of Americans suffering from AD is projected to increase to about 7.1 million people. This will amount to an increase of nearly 22%. Unexpectedly, this surge will not be uniform across the country. In some states, the number of people aged 65 or older with AD is only expected to grow by less than 10%, while in other states these figures are predicted to rise by more than 30%.

                    Inconsistent with age alone, the statistics surrounding AD in Arizona, Vermont, Nevada, Virginia and Florida are particularly alarming. Arizona is projected to experience the largest increase in its 65 + with AD by 2025 by a staggering 33.30%. The same age demographic in Vermont by 30.8% and Nevada by 30.8%.2 As a matter of fact, in those 3 states between 2018 through 2021 a slight drop in the percentage of  those 65+ has been predicted:1

              % 65+ %  65+

2018 2021

Arizona 0.175 0.167

Vermont 0.194 0.182

Nevada 0.157 0.150


The distribution of these projected rates of growth is perplexing. These statistics demonstrate that the age of a state’s population alone will not determine its likelihood of being plagued by surges of AD and dementia in the future. It is imperative that we examine the other demographic, environmental and genetic factors which may be predisposing certain states to markedly  higher rates of AD occurrence.


The staggering economic and social consequences of this unabated disease will be paralyzing for our future growth and development, at the local, state, and national levels. Through the development of baseline and standardized cognitive testing, we can offer a timely new approach to early detection, management, and critical, essential monitoring of this disease and various treatment efficacies. 


References:

  1. “2020 Alzheimer’s Disease Facts and Figures”. Alzheimer’s Association. 2020.